Finding Grace in Strange Places
It's amazing to note that in Jesus' day, He often condemned the religious elite (people assumed to be holy) and found friendship with the publicans and sinners (people assumed to be unholy). In today's broadcast, we look through scripture at a few examples in which God's grace is found in unusual places. Who would expect to find a grace changed person working as a harlot in Jericho? Few, for sure. And yet there is Rahab, who justified herself (declared herself just) by receiving the Israelite spies. Then there is the thief on the cross. Yet again, there is the sinful woman of the city who washed Jesus' feet with her tears.
As Paul rightly said, Jesus came into the world to save sinner. While the Pharisees condemned Jesus for this attribute, a sensible sinner finds great peace in their accusation that Jesus is the friend of sinners.
Radio broadcast for August 28, 2016
The Sovereignty of God in End Times
Concluding our study on God's sovereignty, we explore the fact that the end of the world will be an act of God's sovereign will and by His sovereign power.
Radio broadcast for August 21, 2016
The sovereignty of God over Principalities and Powers
In this recent series, we've studied God's sovereignty as a general principle and His sovereign will in our eternal salvation. In today's broadcast, we consider His sovereign dominion over principalities and powers, including Satan, fallen angels and evil spirits, governments of men, and the wicked.
Worried about the climate of this world? Be reassured - God reigns supreme!
Radio broadcast for August 14, 2016
Read more: The sovereignty of God over Principalities and Powers
The Sovereignty of God in the New Birth
Previously in this series, we've studied the sovereignty of God as a principle, as well as God's sovereignty in the election of grace and in redemption. In this broadcast, we shift our focus onto God's control over the new birth, the act of God in a person's life in which they are drawn from death in sin to new life in Jesus Christ.
Radio broadcast for August 7, 2016
The Sovereignty of God in Redemption
Continuing our series on the sovereignty of God, today we consider the sovereignty of God in redemption. Aspects of this include the salvific covenant of grace between God the Father and God the Son before time began, God's timing in sending His Son as the chosen redeemer, the cross itself, and election of those who were redeemed.
The day of Christ's offering was indeed, as prophesied in Psalm 118:24, "the day the Lord hath made," in which He brought salvation and in which we are glad.
Radio broadcast for July 31, 2016
The Sovereignty of God in Election
Part 2 in our series on the Sovereignty of God
Let's talk about election. No, not the political election, but God's election of a people to salvation. Did you know such a concept existed? Sadly, many believers today have a lack of understanding of this most basic and fundamental theological concept. Listen as we examine the scriptures.
Radio broadcast for July 24, 2016
The Sovereignty of God
In the coming weeks, we plan to engage in a study of a most fundamental subject: the sovereignty of God. Today, we consider the basic concept of God's sovereignty. In short, God is the King of Creation, doing what He wants when He wants.
Radio broadcast for July 17, 2016
Spiritual Warfare
Warfare is severe! And yet, that's one of the metaphors the Apostle Paul used to describe discipleship. However, unlike physical combat, this is a battle of information and the battleground is the hearts and minds of men.
Could you imagine a soldier being sent to combat while being ignorant of the fact that he was actually in a war? What about a soldier being sent to war unarmed? That sounds ridiculous, but that's exactly how many believers in our age approach discipleship. Want to arm yourself? Listen to today's program.
Radio broadcast for July 10, 2016
Why We Need Each Other
God blessed us with the church, not only as a institution to facilitate worship and learning, but also as a community of believers to edify one another and provide accountability. Learn more in today's broadcast.
Radio broadcast for July 3, 2016
The Fruit of the Spirit
In today's broadcast, Pastor Winslett considers a very elementary passage of scripture found in Paul's epistle to the Galatian churches, Galatians 5:22, in which Paul teaches us the fruit of being born of the Spirit. The lesson here is two fold: We learn that for a person to bear this fruit in his life, he must be born of the Spirit. But also, we are exhorted to "walk in the Spirit," actively living out the character attributes in our day to day lives.
Radio broadcast for June 26, 2016
When Iniquity Abounds
Does it seem to you that anger and violence are increasing in our culture? Why do you think this is the case? Certainly theories are both plentiful and various.
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus made a profound statement regarding a direct correlation between iniquity and love, specifically when iniquity abounds, the love of many shall wax cold. As a rule, when iniquity abounds, brotherly love grows faint in a society. So then, we learn that the solution isn't the mere feigning of a loving attitude, but a sincere repentance towards God accompanied by a turning from sinfulness.
Radio broadcast for June 19, 2016.
Answering the Skeptics: Homosexuality and the Old Testament Law
Scripture presents a very clear set of guidelines on what constitutes marriage as well as what God has defined as sexually immoral. Sometimes in defending the Biblical pattern of marriage, well-meaning Christians use the prohibition on homosexual behavior in Leviticus as their "proof text" against such a lifestyle. However, relying solely upon this text presents a serious problem when confronted by skeptics: Leviticus also prohibits the eating of creatures such as shrimp or catfish. The skeptic then condemns the Christian for embracing one law and ignoring another. How does the believer answer this criticism?
In this broadcast, pastor Winslett explains the timeless principles of God regarding marriage and intimacy, while placing such passages in Leviticus in the overall message of scripture.
Radio broadcast for June 12, 2016
Read more: Answering the Skeptics: Homosexuality and the Old Testament Law
Distractions
Distractions! We all have them, but sometimes we fail to realize just how spiritually disabling they can be. In this broadcast, Pastor Winslett addresses the all too common occurrence of spiritual distraction.
Radio broadcast for June 5, 2016.
The Need for Rest
In our culture, we don't necessarily work out in a hot field all day. Rather, we tend to hyperextend ourselves with busy schedules, hurrying from one event to the next, leaving ourselves frazzled ad gasping for breath. The solution is to force yourself to find time for rest, even if the purging of some activities is necessary.
In this broadcast, we consider the importance of rest from a physical and spiritual perspective.
Radio broadcast for May 29, 2016
Chief Concerns of American Christianity
Things are stressful out there in America. I get it. No matter what your opinion is, you're probably really concerned and want to do something. Our facebook newsfeeds are full of doom and gloom. My email box is full of calls to action about any number of issues: gambling, marriage, bathrooms, political candidates. In all the noise, it really does a believer good to stop and ask, but what would God have me to do?
This broadcast contains 5 things which ought to be the concern of every disciple of Christ.
Radio broadcast for May 22, 2016
Saved from What?
Words have meanings. Sometimes, a single word can have many definitions. Other times, one word can be used in many different contexts. This is true for our every day speech, but it's also true regarding the language of the Bible. Determining the application of a term is a practice called "rightly dividing the word of truth." When rightly dividing, the reader takes the definition, context, and overall theology of the Bible into consideration to determine the author's original intent. Since scripture is of no private interpretation, it is the disciple's responsibility to seek the original message in a passage.
One might be puzzled or even alarmed at the premise of "rightly diving," but this practice is commonly engaged in by theologians and scholars. For example, preachers often distinguish between the Divinity of Christ and the Humanity of Christ. Also, we recognize the different between our eternal sanctification through God and a practical sanctification through obedience and discipline. Further, it is understood that God, for Christ's sake, forgave our sins once and for all at the cross, yet we ask for forgiveness in a parental sense every time we pray.
In this broadcast, Pastor Winslett considers the biblical usage of the word "save." When most believers in our culture come across the word save in the Bible, their first assumption is that the word is describing regeneration (the new birth). However, as with many other words, the term save is used in reference to other phases of our eternal salvation (redemption, glorification) and also deliverance from various forms of ruin in our daily lives (enemies, sickness, sinful behavior, error, etc).
Radio broadcast for May 15, 2016.
The Sufficiency of Christ: Guilt!
Do you struggle with guilt over the sins and mistakes of your past? Do you let this guilt hinder your service to God, feeling unworthy to begin your personal ministry? If you answered yes, you really should take the time to listen to the thoughts presented in this week's radio program as we consider how the imputed righteousness of Christ was sufficient enough to enable a persecutor, Saul of Tarsus, to become the writer of much of the New Testament books and also the Apostle to the Gentiles. Understanding the sufficiency of Christ on your behalf truly sets you free from the bondage of personal guilt.
Radio broadcast for May 8, 2016.
The Sufficiency of Christ
Do you feel yourself to be a great sinner with too terrible of a past to serve God? I have good news for you: your sufficiency is in Christ! Because of the grace of God, even the chief of sinners himself, Paul, became the writer of a majority of the books in the New Testament! God's grace is truly a comforting subject, but it's also one which invigorates us to an increased service in the Lord. Listen and be strengthened!
Radio broadcast for May 1, 2016.
Who Are The Elect?
The New Testament commonly refers to a group of people called "the elect." Who are these people? How did they become such? When did they become such? What is their relationship to Jesus Christ? We answer these questions from the scriptures in today's edition of Words of Grace.
While election was a commonly believed concept in generations past, it is hardly understood in today's world. For this cause, we definitely invite you to share this program with your friends and family.
Radio broadcast for April 24, 2016.
Who is Jesus?
How about the single most important question a person can ask: Who is Jesus of Nazareth?
In today's broadcast, we answer this question from the scriptures as we consider Jesus' work as Saviour and also His identity as the Son of God, who became the son of man for the purpose of dying for the elect of God.
Radio broadcast for April 17, 2016.
The Marvels, Mysteries, and Miracles of the Cross
Last week on Words of Grace, we considered the many ways Jesus suffered on the cross as well as His sufferings in the hours leading up to His crucifixion. Today we return back to the cross as we share Pastor Winslett's 2016, Easter Sunday sermon at Flint River on the many marvels, mysteries, and miracles which occurred during Jesus' crucifixion.
Radio broadcast for April 10, 2016.
Read more: The Marvels, Mysteries, and Miracles of the Cross
The Sufferings of Christ at the Cross
Last week Christendom remembered the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This holiday serves to focus our minds on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In this broadcast, we look at seven ways in which Jesus suffered in the events leading up to and during the crucifixion.
Radio program for April 3, 2016.
What the Resurrection Means to a Believer
The resurrection of Christ is so important to the believer in Christ that you can hardly find a recorded sermon in the Book of Acts that does not mention this bedrock truth. In fact, every other Christian doctrine hangs upon this one central truth - Christ arose the third day!
In this radio program, we consider just what the Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead means to a believer.
Radio broadcast for March 27, 2016
Righteousness Exalteth a Nation
Proverbs 14:34 says "righteousness exalteth a nation." This means a country whose citizenship, on average, pursues a godly, righteous standard of living will experience great peace and blessings as a derivative of their actions.
In recent weeks, we've seen the hostility between polarized fringes of the American population escalate to levels of mob violence. In some cases, demonstrations and protests have approached the level of all out anarchy. As the ministry of the gospel, it is our responsibility to declare God's standard, even in such cases as this.
The first principle Pastor Winslett shares in this broadcast, is that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God (James 1). Actions carried out in anger are usually regretted later. Secondly, as often observed by the framers of the United States, only a morally upright people can enjoy lasting liberty. Since public violence is immoral and sinful, we all stand at risk of losing our personal freedom when a substantial number of our citizenship engages in riotous behavior. And lastly, as believers in Christ, we must interceded to God in fervent in prayer for our elected officials.
Radio broadcast for March 20, 2016
Accountability to God
Last week on Words of Grace, we considered several attributes of God, especially His position as Creator, Lord, and Judge over all men. Today we revisit this topic as we study the fact that all men are accountable to God for their actions.
Without God's forgiveness for our sins, we would most certainly be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. What was the price paid for this forgiveness? His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father has forgiven us unconditionally on the basis of His Son's redemptive work. But even after salvation, as children to a parent, we ought to ask God to forgive us of our sins each day. When we do, He hears, and spares His chastening rod.
Radio program for March 13, 2016.
Divine Authority
In our modern American culture, most people you meet claim to believe in some sort of generic god. But, when pressed on the specificity of the deity they profess, you learn that the god many believe in doesn't bear much semblance to the God of the Bible.
In this episode of Words of Grace, we study some fundamental attributes of the true and living God, as described in the Bible.
Radio broadcast for February 28, 2016
Literary Devices in Scripture
The Bible is a book intended to be read, studied, and understood by God's children. One key to grasping the intended meaning of a passage is to be familiar with the various literary devices in scripture. From a message entitled Understanding the Bible, Pastor Winslett defines, with biblical examples of each, a few of these linguistic techniques.
Radio broadcast for February 21, 2016.
Lazarus and the Rich Man
In this week's broadcast, we study a teaching of the Lord Jesus in Luke 16 about the deaths of two men and their distinct states after death.
Radio broadcast for February 14, 2016.
Baptism - Part 2
As a continuation of last week's program, we share certain, scriptural qualifications of a valid baptism in this broadcast. As we noted last week, this concept is nothing new. Prior to being called Primitive Baptists or even just Baptist, our forefathers were deemed "anabaptist" by the mainstream of the day for their practice of "rebaptizing" converts who had been sprinkled, rather than immersed in water by a preacher. They felt very strongly, as do we, that baptism was to be meet certain qualifications.
Listen to learn more!
Radio broadcast for February 7, 2015.
Baptism - Part 1
Within the Lord's church, Jesus has established two ordinances for Disciples to observe: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. From a message in 2015, we share some thoughts over the next two weeks on one of these two ordinances: Baptism. On today's program, we consider the history of Baptism, as well as how great of a blessing it is to follow Christ in gospel obedience.
Radio broadcast for January 31, 2016.
He That Hath Ears To Hear, Let Him Hear
A phrase Jesus commonly used in His public ministry was "he that hath an ear, let him hear." This often overlooked statement actually contains great truth! For one, unless a man has been given "spiritual ears" he cannot hear the preaching of the cross on a spiritual level. But also, this phrase clearly demonstrates the fact that there are men who lack spiritual hearing.
This ought to cause us to stop and ponder how one comes into possession of these spiritual ears! Do you know how? Listen to learn.
Radio broadcast for January 24, 2016.
The Will of God
Does God always perform all His will? Does mankind always do God's will? Is everything that happens according to the will of God? We consider these questions on today's broadcast, as we study a crucial fundamental concept from the Bible, the will of God.
Radio broadcast for January 18, 2015
The Proper Order of Salvation
Were you asked to list the proper, Biblical order of salvation, how you would you respond? I suppose that answer would vary depending on the background of the person asked. Thankfully, God actually provided us with a passage of scripture listing each distinct step in salvation. Guess what? The entire "process" was all of God!
Romans 8:29-30 teaches us the comforting fact that God foreknew, predestinated, called, justified, and will glorify us. From before the foundation of the world to beyond this world into eternity, God has purposed everything necessary and required to deliver us to Himself. As David said, our salvation is "ordered in all things and sure."
Radio program for January 10, 2016
The Foolishness of Preaching
Is the gospel of Christ just another human philosophy? What is the purpose of the gospel ministry? Paul said gospel preaching is "foolishness," but what does that really mean?
From 1 Corinthians chapter 1, we learn the answer to these questions in today's radio program.
Radio broadcast for January 3, 2015.
New Beginnings in Christ
It is the time of year when people commonly make New Years' Resolutions. While these aren't expressly Biblical and repentance shouldn't wait for January of each year, the new year does give us a marked occasion to stop and consider our ways. Our God is one of new beginnings and second chances, so what better time than the present to reflect on our lives and seek repentance?
Radio broadcast for December 28, 2015.
Great Is The Mystery Of Godliness
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. - 1 Timothy 3:16
This time of year, folks love to think on the baby in a manger. But we should remember just who that baby was: God manifest in the flesh! Further, He is no longer a babe in a manger, but a reigning King and Lord of all. In this broadcast, we focus on the divine incarnation of the Son of God.
Radio broadcast for December 21, 2015.
The Blessing of Music
This time of year is one in which music is very much a part of our lives. But, have you ever stopped to consider how great a blessing music is to mankind? From hymns and spiritual songs to Handel's Messiah, music has a way of accessing us on an emotion and even spiritual level. One can be "filled with the Spirit" through singing "spiritual songs." Of course, this ability of music also presents certain dangers, should we choose to listen to the wrong type of music.
In this broadcast, we consider the Biblical history of music and conclude with its place in the church today.
Radio broadcast for December 13, 2015.
Federal Headship
Have you ever heard of the doctrine of Federal Headship?
This concept expresses the fact that Adam was a covenant representative to God for all of his descendants. When Adam sinned, his sin and its penalty passed on to all men. Likewise, Christ Jesus was a covenant representative to God for all the elect. On the cross, eternal life was secured for all men in Christ.
One important point to note in this study: Just as much as we were completely passive in regards to Adam and his representation of us unto death, so we are completely passive in Christ's work upon us unto life.
Radio broadcast for December 6, 2015
What Does Romans 8:28 Teach? Part 2
In our last broadcast, we considered the actual context of Romans 8:28 and concluded that in this text, Paul was speaking of God's actions on our behalf - whether in time or eternity - and not the sinful actions of men. In brief, sin never works for our good and is always contrary to God.
Continuing this sermon, today's message focuses on a principle that IS in play for God's children in times of trial, the fact that God is in the business of overruling terrible things in favor of His children. As Isaiah 61 proclaims, God exchanges ashes for beauty. We hope these two broadcasts have been clarifying and encouraging!
Radio broadcast for November 29, 2015.
What Does Romans 8:28 Teach?
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28 has become one of the most widely quoted texts within Christendom. Often cited in moments of tragedy, well meaning believers insist this verse teaches that God is somehow orchestrating terrible things and will cause even the worst of human actions to somehow work for our good. But is that actually what this verse is teaching? Absolutely not! As a fundamental principle, things such as sin and Satan cannot work together with righteousness and God.
In this message, which will be divided into two radio broadcasts, we look into the actual context of this statement to find the meaning of Romans 8:28 and then consider actual - and comforting - principles which are in effect in our lives, such as God's overruling providence in giving beauty for ashes.
Radio broadcast for November 22, 2015
David: An Example of Meekness
Scripture calls on us to be meek people, not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. But what does meekness actually look like? To summarize the definition from the Oxford English Dictionary, meekness is defined as 1) humility and gentleness, and 2) a lack of self-will.
Today on Words of Grace, we consider one example from the life of King David which demonstrates great meekness. May we emulate this commendable trait in our life! Listen to learn more.
Radio broadcast for November 15, 2015.
In Need of Fruit Bearers
In our last two broadcasts, we've shared two bedrock, foundational principles from scripture concerning the nature of man: 1) A man's will is governed by his nature, and 2) After the new birth, a person has two opposing natures warring against each other, the nature of Adam (the flesh) and the nature of Christ (the Spirit or Divine nature).
In today's message, we conclude our thoughts along these lines with a message encouraging God's children to bear good fruit. What's the severity, you may ask? First, if God commands us to do something, that's reason enough. But also, as the salt of the earth, the decision to "walk in the Spirit" has a preserving effect on the culture around us. Listen to learn more.
Radio program for November 8, 2015.
A Warfare of Natures
In our last broadcast, we considered the fact that human beings indeed have a will to choose their actions, but that will is governed by their nature. The nature we inherited from Adam stands in full enmity against God, requiring men to experience a "new birth" in order to seek after God. This is why Paul proclaimed that "natural man," one with only Adam's nature, finds gospel truth to be foolish.
Today we consider another aspect of this subject: the fact that after the new birth, men possess both an Adam nature and the nature of Christ and these two natures are described as being at war against one another. This explains the great struggle a believer experiences each day of his life between righteous and wicked behavior.
Listen as we explore the descriptions of these two natures and also how to strengthen yourself against the lusts of the flesh, to live a life pleasing to God.
Radio broadcast for November 1, 2015.
Nature and Will
Can an unsaved man choose God by his own free will? Before you answer, listen to this episode of Words of Grace in which we consider the fact that a man's will is governed by his nature.
Radio broadcast for October 25, 2015.
The New Testament In His Blood
In the Lord's Supper, Jesus used two items present at Passover to symbolize His body and blood respectively - unleavened bread and wine. Jesus, doing nothing unintentional, chose these two substances because of certain inherent properties within them. The unleavened bread, being free from leaven, depicted Jesus' sinless body which would be broken for His people. The wine, exemplifying His purifying blood which would be shed for many.
In this broadcast, we consider interesting parallels between wine and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Radio program for October 18, 2015
Triumph Through Faith
A quick glance at Hebrews 11 and you'll see that all the amazing victories of the Old Testament were rooted in one source: Faith! But sometimes we err in our perception that the brothers and sisters making up the "cloud of witnesses" of followers of God in scripture were "supersaints." Quite the contrary, they were men and women of like passions. In fact, the Bible is candid in recording both their triumphs and their failures.
Today we consider the truth about these victorious men and women, emboldening us to the fact that we - normal people who believe in Christ - too can triumph through this God-given faith.
Radio program for October 11, 2015.
The Spiritual Benefits of Public Worship
Many people today claim to be "spiritual" but outright reject the notion of organized religion. Sadly, in our country, a nation wherein a large majority claim to be Christian, studies show that only between 20% and 40%1 attend church on a weekly basis. It's crystal clear from Jesus' preaching that discipleship is not possible without actually "following Him," and to follow Him we must assemble with the saints to worship Him and hear His word proclaimed. To say that another way, we can't be real Christians without being a part of a church body. Does this mean one must go to church to get to Heaven? No - salvation is by grace, not religion. But to be a FOLLOWER of Christ, I must assemble with the saints.
The main reason we go to church is because God is worthy of our worship. Were that the only reason, it would be enough. But there's more to it! Unlike harsh, cruel legalism with its demands, public worship is good for you! In this episode, we consider a few different ways in which assembling with the church personally benefits you. Listen, and then go to church!
Radio broadcast for October 4, 2015
Will All The Elect Hear The Preached Gospel?
Here are a couple of facts:
The Bible teaches election (God's choosing of a people) in Ephesians 1:4. The Bible also teaches Spirit-only regeneration (the new birth is all of God) in John 3:8. That brings up an interesting question to consider: Since God elected to save some and the Spirit works alone in the new birth, will every chosen person hear the gospel? Are there saved people who never hear the preached word?
Most people would strongly insist that everyone in Heaven heard the gospel, but we beg you to consider the case of deceased infants. Did they hear? How about mentally handicapped? Did they hear?? One may retort, "well, those are exceptions." But, scripture gives no exceptions in the new birth. As Jesus said, "so is everyone that is born of the Spirit." Eternal deliverance is a result of election, redemption, and regeneration (Romans 8:29-30), and is identical in application with everyone to whom it applies.
In Revelation 5:9 and 7:9, John saw a diverse people saved by Christ out of every nation and even every kindred (family). Yet a sizable portion of the human race has never heard a preacher, much less someone from every family. Further, Christianity in a generic sense has been a very Caucasian religion. This has led Historic Baptists and Primitive Baptists of today to the comforting - and Christ Glorifying - understanding that there are people in Heaven not privilege with gospel preaching or the local church, but are saved by Christ nonetheless because "the Lord knoweth them that are His."
Radio program for September 27, 2015.
Defining Redemption
Another fundamental concept to scripture is that of Redemption. Scripture uses word pictures common to everyday life to convey spiritual truth to us. One such concept utilized by Bible writers is redemption, a word which in its verb form redeem, means to buy something back by the paying of a price.
This prompts two questions:
1) When was the price of redemption paid in full?
2) When shall the Redeemer take full possession of the purchased product?
Listen and learn.
Radio broadcast for September 20, 2015.
Defining The Gospel
How would you define the gospel? The term can be one of those words which folks feel like they know but can't precisely define. In this message, we seek to define the word 'gospel' itself, and then demonstrate what does - and doesn't - qualify as the gospel.
Radio broadcast for September 13, 2015.